Cast

Creative Team

THE GREAT TERRACE IN THE PALACE OF HEROD AT TIBERIAS, GALILEE, THE CAPITAL OF HIS KINGDOM. ABOUT 30 AD.

On the great terrace of Herod’s palace, the young captain, Narraboth, admires the beautiful princess Salome who sits at the banquet table with her stepfather Herod and his guests. A page warns the captain that something terrible may happen if he continues to stare at the princess, but Narraboth won’t listen. The voice of the prophet Jochanaan (John the Baptist) is heard from the cistern below where he is kept prisoner, proclaiming the coming of the Messiah. Two soldiers comment on his kindness and Herod’s fear of him.

Salome steps out on the terrace, disgusted by Herod’s advances toward her. Jochanaan’s voice is heard again, cursing Herod and Herodias, Salome’s mother. Transfixed by this voice, Salome persuades the captain to bring the prophet to her.

At first frightened, Salome quickly grows fascinated and begs Jochanaan to let her touch his white body, then his black hair, and finally let her kiss his red mouth. The prophet forcefully rejects her. Narraboth, in despair over her actions, stabs himself. Jochanaan swears Salome will never kiss his mouth and tells her to save herself by seeking Christ. His words fall on deaf ears, he curses her as the daughter of an adulteress and leaves.

Herod comes out on the terrace looking for Salome. After commenting on the strange look of the moon, he slips in Narraboth’s blood and has hallucinations. Herodias dismisses his fears but Herod’s attention has turned toward Salome. When Jochanaan resumes the denunciation of Herodias, she demands that Herod hand over the prophet to the Jews. Herod refuses, maintaining that Jochanaan is a holy man who has seen God. These words spark an argument among the Jews concerning the true nature of God, until two Nazarenes relate the miracles of Jesus.

Herod asks Salome to dance for him. She refuses, but he wins her over by promising
to give her anything she wants in return. Ignoring her mother’s pleas, Salome dances for the king. Delighted, Herod asks her what reward she would like. Salome replies with a smile: the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. Herodias is delighted whilst Herod is horrified. He offers other rewards but Salome is adamant, and reminds him of his oath. He finally gives in, and the executioner goes to do his gruesome task. When the prophet’s head is brought to her, Salome passionately addresses Jochanaan as if he were still alive, and finally kisses his lips.

Herod, shocked and terrified, orders his men to kill her, and she is stoned to death.